Any male CNA in here and currently working.

Published

I just graduated and finally over the summer I got an job and now I'll be starting and training. Any encouragement and things to do to make sure I'm having a good start?

=):yeah::yeah:

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1. just be yourself.

2. be calm as much as possible.

3. don't be afraid to ask for help while you are still a newby because it's not ok if you are not anymore.

4. don't hesitate to ask questions while you are still a newby because it's not ok if you are not anymore.

5. being the newby has an expiration date so is being clueless and dumb in the field XD

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Enjoy what you do. CNA work can be very hard at times. I did it for 5 years before I became an RN. But there were certain aspects that I really enjoyed and some that I really hated it. Don't let anyone look down on you either, because what you do is very important and I don't think CNA's always get the credit that they deserve. They are the un sunged heros because without CNA's nursing would be just about impossible to do unless they gave us RN's only 2 patients each, and even then CNA's are much needed.

I started off CNA work in Long Term Care and then I went in to hospital care. They both have their pros and cons. LTC CNA get way more respect and seems operate more independently but the patient load is terrible and back breaking. In hospital work the patient load is way way way less but you aren't treated as well and no one every ask you about your opinion on a patient as they would when I worked in LTC. BUt over all, if you are going to study to be a nurse I recommend eventually get into hospital work. Some ERs' even have CNA's in working that floor like my hosptial does but they are under the title PCT which allows the CNA to do more stuff. Good luck.

-David H.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg. Telemetry.

I have been a CNA for about 4 years now, and I am also finishing nursing school. I think that everyone who is considering becoming a nurse should become a CNA first. You learn a lot about what it takes to be a nurse and also learn how to respect those who will be working under you. I can totally see a difference in nurse's who were a CNA prior to becoming an RN. I will always remember all the hardwork as a CNA after I graduate and start working. I have only been a CNA in long term care; it is very rewarding to work with patients that have so much experience with life. You walk away a better person by just working with them, and you also tend to learn about life and it's purpose. I have to agree with "dhammo01", that you also work really hard!

Let me know if you have any questions...

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I believe that every nurse should work as a CNA for at least 6 months before getting that RN...new nurses who don't have that CNA expierence often don't know how to walk/turn/clean patients, get vitals, know that they CAN do things for patients to help the techs....

I saw a classic example of this yesterday at work. I was charting in the hallway(we use comps on wheels), and discussing a plan for a patient with a CNA....another nurse(newer-graduated last Dec.) came up and started asking her to A)get the patient up asap, B)another patient had to go to the bathroom, and C)another patient needed to be set up with their tray....and 2 of the patients weren't that tech's!

I wanted to tell her "Look, if you knew a patient had to go to the bathroom, take em, you're going to be in the hallway charting anyway....if you know that patient is ready to eat but needs setup, go ahead and set em up..you're there!" It just frustrates me to no end....I do not believe that ANYTHING relating to care is "beneath" a nurse...I hear "i didn't get a degree to wipe butts..." but that is part of the job.

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Avoid saying things like "oh my god, I've never seen anything that bad." Or "what's that horrible smell" LOL Seriously, though If you don't know, ask. Do not do anything you have not been trained to do and know the scope of your duties. And, probably most important, treat everyone with courtesy, respect and dignity and dare to care. You'll be fine. Oh, and whatever you do, take good care of your back!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg. Telemetry.

Locolorenzo22,

You are absolutely right! I had many experiences similar to the one you mentioned. It irritates me when they feel like that it is not their job. I know that CNA's are usually the one's who do those things, but we can't be in all places at once. It is nice to have RN's who understand true "patient care".

Are you a RN? or planning to become one?

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

superman...I graduated RN school in may after 3 years of school...started 3 weeks ago, and today was only my 6th shift on the floor. However, I feel like some of this stuff is old hat to me....I do not shy away from helping patients to the bathroom or setting them up for meals...I am happy to talk to them for a few minutes during the day if they need to talk about something...

my job is to provide care...not just pass pills and etc...does it get busy and I can't get to that all the time? yes....but when I can, I cherish the moments that I can provide care.

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I have never left a patient's room and asked one of my CNA's to do anything for the patient. If they need to go to the bathroom I take them. IF they need their foley emptied, I do it. If they need food ordered, I do it. I try as much as possible. As a nurse tho, there are some time restraints that I can't always do it all. For example; I don't have time to shower patients or sit at a bedside to feed a patient because I have so many meds to give or other task to do. Charting is a big time killer as well. I also work at a University Hospital which means it's a teaching hospital; which means I'm also dealing with new doctors; which means there are constantly new orders I need to watch for because they are still learning and not experienced as to know what should all be ordered sometimes. So a lot of times it's not that the nurse doesn't want to help, it's just that they can't because we are so time constricted and everything is on a schedule. When I was a PCT it felt to me that a 12 hour shift would just drag and drag and drag on. But once I became an RN I feel like I don't have enough time and time just flys! But I'm very thankful for my PCTs and I'm always thinking of ways or things I can say to make them feel appreciated.

-David H.

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Specializes in CNA1, CNA2.

Wow ! Thanks guys. I just read all the replies. I am currently a CNA student . I have 1 day of clinicals left . I will be appyling to LTC facilities as soon as I get my state test done. I will be working as a CNA while in classes for my LPN . I really enjoyed my experience in clinicals.

Your advice has helped me greatly.

I know I did not start this thread but thanks anyways.

TJ

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Hello to everyone. im going to be a cna [pca] soon. I love this forum becuse it keeps me informed about every thing about nursing. I will be going to school in march at a voc-tech to study Lpn.

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Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Well, congratulations and welcome to the world of nursing! Based on your age, I assume this is at least a second career for you. I am 46 and just finished my nursing degree; you will find you're not alone in that regard also.

I worked as a PCA for a year before starting as an RN this summer. It's a great way to get some experience, get comfortable with patient care, and get your foot in the door at an institution where you might want to work as a nurse when you get your license. It also gives you some "street cred" among your future nursing coworkers. :up:

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